Why I Won't Lead Kids in a Salvation Prayer at VBS

VBS is just a couple of weeks away at the church where I serve.

I will be sharing the Gospel each night at the large group time.  

But I will not be leading the kids in a salvation prayer. 

Here's why.

When I first started serving in children's ministry, I would share the Gospel and then I would lead a large group prayer with the kids who raised their hands for salvation.

But over time, I begin to question this approach. 

Did I share the Gospel clearly enough for their age levels?

How do I know if the kids understand what they are doing?

So...I did this. 

I started having trained counselors ready who could talk with the kids who raised their hand for salvation. They talked with the kids individually.  I felt better about this.  Now we could determine who understood and who didn't. 

But there was still something missing. When parents came to pick up their child, we would tell the parents that their child had accepted Jesus as their Savior.  The parents would be happy for the most part, but I could also sense they wished they could have been a part of it.  This made sense.  I needed to involve the parents in the process.  

So...I did this. 

Instead of praying for salvation with the kids, we created a class they could attend with their parents.  The class is called Starting Point and in this class, we share the Gospel thoroughly.  Parents attend the class with their child...no drop offs.  

At the end of the class, parents can pray a prayer of salvation with their child if they feel their child understands and is ready.  

As we involved parents, we begin to see them lead their children to Jesus.

And here's the cool thing.  We started seeing parents coming to Jesus as well. As they get in the class and hear the Gospel clearly explained, many of them come to Jesus as well.  

Think about this with me.

When you lead a child to Jesus, you change a life.  When you lead a parent to Jesus, you change an entire family.

We have been given the awesome opportunity to lead children and parents to Jesus.  It is not something that should be taken lightly.  It is the most important thing that we do.  

If you'd like more informationabout the Starting Point class, you can see it at this link. Hundreds of churches across the country are using this class to reach kids and their parents.

Your turn.

Do you lead kids in large group salvation prayers?  Why or why not?

Do you involve parents in the process?  Why or why not?

Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.